Jean Babou

Jean II Babou (1511 - 3 October 1569) was a French soldier, notable as grand-bailiff (grand-bailli) of Touraine and France's Grand Master of Artillery (1567).

Philibert was lord of La Bourdaisière, who in 1521 became mayor of Tours, where Jean was born, whilst from 1532 to 1542 Marie was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Eleanor of Austria.

The following year saw him made governor and bailiff of Gien, then maitre de la garde robe to the Dauphin (the future Henry II of France).

He also added to his family lands, acquiring in 1542 the barony of Sagonne from Antoinette d'Amboise, lady of la Rochefoucauld-Barbezieux by her second marriage, and in 1551 the lordship of Jouy from Marc de Beaufort-Canillac-Montboissier, count of Alluye.

He fought bravely against the Protestants at the Battle of Moncontour on 3 October 1569, with his adroit artillery manoeuvre playing a large part in the Catholic victory.